The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Suburban rear seat hold down clamps. Some Questions

I touched on this once before a little while ago.
I've got a '62 Suburban, and have a stock rear seat with one of the original clamps that hold the seat to the "keyholes" in the floor. It's a simple carriage bolt with a wing nut--the bolt head slips into the keyhole and slides forward to the thin part of the hole, the shaft of the bolt goes through holes in the seat frame, and the wingnut goes on top of the seat frame tubing to hold the seat to the floor.
HOWEVER, my one single mount also came with an original piece that straddles the seat frame tubing, and is flat on top for the wing nut to seat on. It distributes the force of the clamp over a larger area, and gives a much firmer bite to the wingnut. The original one I have seems to be made of brass. I believe they used the softer brass instead of steel so it didn't work-harden the seat frame or crack the seat frame. The softer material absorbed any vibration and stress before the thin wall tubing of the frame would crack. I think it'll eliminate one more source for vibrations and rattles, as the wingnut isn't likely to back off the flat bracket.

I've fabricated a new set of these clamps out of aluminun for my truck. I'm going to turn Boy Wonder loose on the power tools, and we're going to start making them to sell as complete kits: bolts, wing nuts, washers, lock washers and the aluminum clamp.

My immediate target is '60-'66 trucks, because I know this fits. At some point, they started putting different rear seat mounting tracks in some of the Suburbans--I think the later '64-up GMCs, but I'm not sure what year that was, and if it's only GMC.

Also, someone posted a pic of their bracket from an AD Suburban, and it looks identical. Can anyone tell me what years they started this bracket style in Suburbans? What'd they use in the '40s? How 'bout '55-'59?

The two critical factors I'd need to know for the AD/'50s Suburbans would be the diameter of the bolt head (so it fits in the keyhole), and the diameter of the tubing for the seat frame.

Can anybody give me the info on:
A) when they went to tracks in the '60s
B) how far back they started using this type of seat hold down in Suburbans
C) the bolt head diameter and frame diameter in AD/'50s Suburbans
D) Do you think there's a market for these clamps? I'm not looking to make it rich, but I'm also the kind of guy who still stops to pick pennies up off the ground. One or two don't amount to much, but they add up. If I can sell some of these, I'll have a little money to do other projects like front sway bars for '60-62 trucks.

I appreciate any input,

-Brad

I need a set, & I have never seen any before, so there must be some market. The tracks are 63-66 GMC only IIRC.

Good revening,
I have a '46 with all three seats. However I do not have any clamps or carriage bolts/wing nuts. It sounds like the set up you have is what I need. I would be in to purchase a set. I will check tomorrow on size of the jeyhole mount.
Richard

brad the od seat frame tubing is 7/8 on 47-59 suburbans i believe the bolt size is 3/8 but dont hold me to it. i will take a set of the clamps only for the middle and rear seat.email me at [email protected] when your ready

brad the od seat frame tubing is 7/8 on 47-59 suburbans i believe the bolt size is 3/8 but dont hold me to it. i will take a set of the clamps only for the middle and rear seat.email me at [email protected] when your ready

Thanks for the input guys.
I'll measure the OD on my seat frame (I made these a while back and have forgotten now).
I'll start making these in a month--got a few ducks to get in a row before then. (First and foremost, fixing my band saw! The motor vibrated itself off the mount two weeks ago while we were cutting the clamps out for my truck, and hit the floor, ripping the electric cord out the back of it with a large flash. Boy Wonder and I just stood there looking at it for a second in shock. Then we left for Bonneville!).

-Brad

Can you guys tell me how many hold downs are required for the seats? The full-width rear and the shortened middle seat in a 3-row seating set-up. I've got the full-width seat for my '62, but not the shorter middle seat.

-Brad

7/8 od on mine, shop manual shows 4 bolts on small seat, 6 on big seat

Anyone know where I could find seats for mine? Also, what years will look correct?

James, I know where(Judsonia)there are several 47-55 pickups w/seats that could possibly be made to work as a rear seat w/some fabrication. I am just north of you in Austin, just past Cabot.

Oh ok, cool. Do you ever come to the cruise night down at the River Market?

no, my stuff is non-driveable garage queens, still workin on em, maybe next summer?